Singles Serving

Happy Now - Take That. Comic Relief delivered up some great nuggets this year. I just have to mention the quite awesome Downton Abbey parody, "Uptown Downstairs Abbey." Another was the sudden release of Take That's third Progress single, "Happy Now," featuring a video where comedians try out to be in "Fake That," a Take That tribute band. That aside, "Happy Now" is a really great song, and I'm pleased it was chosen as the next single. It's not as in-your-face as "Kidz," but it's certainly still in the new electronic vein of much of the album. I'd even say it's a bit downbeat, despite the "happy" title. "Kidz" underperformed on the singles chart; let's hope this returns them to the top 10 where they belong.

I Know Him So Well - Peter Kay & Comic Relief presents Susan Boyle & Geraldine McQueen. In addition to the "official" single, it seems there are always a few "special" Comic Relief ones too--sometimes they even become bigger hits than the "official" singles (see "(Is This The Way to) Amarillo").

L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N. - Noah & the Whale. This is the kind of easy-going pop-rock single that could end up sticking around the singles chart for a very long time. It's already showing unusual longevity, having been out for almost 2 months and generally climbing each week during that time.

Sweat (David Guetta Remix) - Snoop Dogg. David Guetta takes a pretty minimalist production and gives it dance floor flair on this pretty groovin' remix of "Sweat," also known in its original version as "Wet" (please--is that really so dirty as to warrant an alternate version)?

Strangers - White Lies. I doubt this will be a big hit, since they seemed destined to never have one. Such a shame, for this is a really great song. Great synthesizer melodies underpin a pretty energetic track.